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Unohana Retsu rose from her seat, her serene smile carrying a quiet weight.
"I have something to say."
Her voice was steady as she recounted the unsettling events from the moment Aizen's "corpse" was discovered, the private conversation she'd had with Su Li, and the series of findings that followed. The room fell into attentive silence.
"Captain Su Li," she said softly, her eyes settling on him, "it's not that you kept the truth from us. You were simply waiting for the right moment to act."
Only now did the captains understand. Su Li had not hidden anythingâhe had told Unohana the truth from the very beginning, trusting her because she alone had noticed something amiss about Aizen's supposed death. She alone would believe him.
From there, she had continued her own investigation, while Su Li silently monitored Aizen's movements. In truth, Su Li had been working in quiet concert with Urahara Kisuke long before the current incident erupted, and once events were set in motion, he had shifted his cooperation to Unohana.
He had ignored the ryoka not out of negligence but because they had been rescued by Urahara. He had shown no concern over Aizen's "death" because he had known it was an act.
The rest of them, Yamamoto included, had been walking in a dream. Only Su Li had remained clear-headed.
He had made no missteps. Even though he could not ultimately prevent Aizen's defection, he had disrupted the execution and dismantled Aizen's immediate plan. He had fought alone and dealt crippling blows to all three traitor captainsâa feat that outshone everyone else's efforts.
Of all those present, he was the one person who deserved neither suspicion nor censure. And yet here he stood, questioned like a criminal, accused by many who now lowered their heads in guilt. They all owed him an apology.
"Su LiâŠ" Yamamoto's deep voice softened, and the stern eyes that had judged him moments before now carried a trace of warmthâand something like remorse.
"Just return my innocence," Su Li said with a faint smile, bowing in measured respect.
Yamamoto held his gaze for a long moment. The boy's composure made his heart stir with conflicting thoughts. Inwardly, the Head Captain resolved that once this crisis passed, Su Li would be repaid in a manner worthy of his service.
Seeing that flicker of intent in Yamamoto's expression, Su Li's eyes brightened, though he kept his tone even. "The ancients were rightâif you act as though you want nothing, the other side will give you more."
Yamamoto's lips curved in a rare smile, the first in a long time. KyĆraku and Ukitake looked at Su Li with quiet admiration, their expressions warmer than before. None of them could demand more from a man who had shouldered so much alone.
"Su Li, I was wrong to doubt you," Zaraki Kenpachi said abruptly, stepping forward with a fierce gleam. "To make it up to you, I'll fight you. Any rules you want."
Li Yi nearly toppled over. "Only you would think a fight is a reward."
Kenpachi grinned at him like a wolf. "You barked the loudest before. You haven't apologized yet. You fight me instead!"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri grimaced. "âŠFine. Sorry." The apology dripped with reluctance.
"Enough," Yamamoto's voice cut through, calm but carrying the weight of command. Both men stepped back into place without another word.
"These matters can be settled later. For now, we address the invasion and the treachery of Aizen and his cohorts."
Su Li returned quietly to the line as the atmosphere shifted. The discussion turned to the ryoka. After debate, the captains agreedâthe ryoka had come to stop Aizen's plot. Their presence had revealed his schemes, and though they had caused some damage, it was negligible compared to the gains. No punishment would be sought, and they would be allowed to return to the Human World. Kuchiki Rukia, whose ordeal had been engineered by Aizen, would also be cleared of all charges.
The harder matter was the loss of three captains and the annihilation of Central 46. Soul Society bled from both wounds. The Gotei 13 would need new captains for the vacant divisions, and forty sages and six judges to rebuild Central 46. Until then, all affairs of Seireitei would be administered by the Gotei 13âmeaning Yamamoto alone. None would object, not even the Four Great Noble Houses. In times like these, only a figure of his authority could hold the center.
As for Aizen's betrayal and whatever new designs he might be weaving in Hueco Mundo, their answer was immediateâprepare for war. Maintain vigilance over both Hueco Mundo and the World of the Living. Be ready before Aizen's next move.
One by one, the issues were resolved. Finally, Yamamoto spoke of Urahara Kisuke and his companions. "Their case will be judged by the new Central 46. For now, it will not be pursued." The room accepted this without dispute. Urahara had played an essential role in thwarting Aizen, and the stain on his name had been the work of that same traitor. To treat him as a criminal now would be absurd.
"Then this meeting is concluded," Yamamoto said, rising to his feet. "Open the gate."
Not the chamber doorâthe great SenzaikyĆ« gate itself. After three days sealed, the Court of Pure Souls would open again.
Su Li's smile spread like spring sunlight. "Finally, I can go home."
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